Chippings
The Irish Potholing Meet photograph from Whitsuntide 1949, reproduced above, was taken by John Barton at Florence Court near Enniskillen before everyone departed on the last day. John identifies the following:
1 C.E. Burrow the then President
2 P.W. Burton
3 Tyas CPC
4 J.T.H. Godley
5 C. Chubb
6 Mr Barbour of Florence Court
7 Stanley Marsden
8 E.E. Roberts
9 Goodwin
10 Sam Bryant the lorry driver
11 J.E. Cullingworth
12 H. Armstrong
Missing from the picture are thought to be W. Booth and H.G. Watts.
For the story of the meet see Ulster: The Seventh Time by E.E. Roberts in the 1952 Journal, VolVII, N° 26. The account of this busy meet refers to the use of experimental 100ft nylon ropes.
A plea from todays group of Club cavers who are exploring new areas underground, Jed Campion and Graham Salmon. They require scaffolding, clips, swivels, right-angles and the like. Any lengths, any condition, any quantity. They will collect it. All you have to do is contact them.
Also, for the purpose of pulling small loads, not seeming people, they are offering to help you out by taking old ropes off your hands and putting them to good use. Any old ropes will do hawswer-laid or kernmantle.
Arnold Patchett was at the centenary celebrations at Gaping Gill. He attended, dressed as a gamekeeper, as a guest of Dr John Farrer and was filmed by Sid Perou. Later he made a tlnee week trip along the full length of Chile and to Easter Island.
Members are undoubtedly aware of the hazards of mountaineering. What, though, of the dangers inherent in not going climbing in the great mountain ranges but staying at home instead. Rory Newman, while on the Club expedition in Nepal, had his car mangled into a twisted heap of metal by an out-of-control lorry. The lorry, canying twenty tonnes of plate glass, reached the bottom of Blue Bank, Staithes, turned on its side, and careered into a car park. Thankfully no-one was injured. Stick to the mountains: it’s safer.
Reported at the 1995 AGM from the BMC by our representative, Bill Todd, were the restoration of Rylstone Cross and news that the traditional parking spot for the Ben, by the Golf Club, is not longer available. Our Huts Secretary, David Martindale, presented to the meeting figures for the last five year’s use of our huts as measured by bed nights.
The Guiness Book of Records has contacted Will Lacy for details of his trips to the poles, the North when aged 82 and the South at 84. As the oldest person to achieve this his feat will be recorded in the next edition.
Maurice Wilson has presented to the Library his copy of “The Complete Mountaineer” by George D. Abraham Inside the front cover of the book is a letter from George Abraham to Maurice dated 31st August 1954 making arrangements for a visit to see hhn which was one of many that Maurice made. Also inside the front cover is a very interesting note stating that “This is to certify that this copy of “The Complete Mountaineer” was previously in the library of the late Frank S. Smythe.” signed THOMAS J GASTON.
Maurice has also given to the Club a further letter from George Abraham dated 26.10.55 and this will go into archives. The letter was written when George was in his 90s and mentions the extremely bad weather conditions in the alps particularly after he had left Zermatt in July.
This letter will join the others from famous mountaineers now lodged with the West Yorkshire Archive Services in Leeds, reports Ray Harben.